“All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” (Acts 1:14)
This reading from the book of Acts prepares us for what we will celebrate next Sunday, Pentecost. Pentecost is the birthday of the Church, the day of which the Holy Spirit filled the disciples enabling them to speak in tongues and giving them the boldness and wisdom to preach the good news about Jesus to the ends of the earth.
But this incident occurs before the Spirit filled them. The apostles had to make an import decision about a replacement for the apostle who betrayed Jesus, Judas. Rather than repent, Judas had committed suicide.
So the apostles had to make an important decision. Nowadays, when it comes to making important decisions, many people turn to the Internet. They research the various options, their pros and cons, as well as what others say about the choices. You can research reviews on books, appliances, restaurants, doctors, and even churches. The opinions of others carry great weight, especially those with credentials or celebrity status.
Then, of course, there are many people who will consult clairvoyants, fortunetellers, horoscopes and Ouija boards. Those who seek to make choices or lifestyle decisions based on such means are really consorting with demonic spirits. Such spirits lie constantly in order to lead the gullible into sin and away from God. It may be far better to cast lots as we see here in the book of Acts.
This incident is meant to instruct about a historical event, not teach us a way to discern God’s will. Therefore, as Christians, casting lots, flipping coins, or throwing dice are not means we use to make important life changing choices. Instead, when faced with choices we consult the Lord in His Word and through prayer. And this is precisely what the apostles did before casting lots.
After Jesus ascended into heaven, the Apostles realized that they were a new community of faith. Jesus had commissioned them to go out into the world and spread the gospel, to baptize all nations in His name, but told them to wait until the Holy Spirit fell on them. So they stayed together in fellowship and prayer. Through prayer they came to realize that as a new community, the new Israel, they needed to have 12 apostles, or 12 leaders to represent the original 12 tribes, the 12 patriarchs. The community that had been fractured by the betrayal and suicide of Judas had to be restored to its fullness. The choice was made by casting lots so that the Lord would be the one who chose the one man He desired to represent Him on earth.
Today when we want to discern the Lord’s will we do not use such random means. I not mean such mundane daily decisions such what to eat for breakfast or what clothes to wear today although such decisions too can often reflect on our identity as Christians. Too often we take our cue on clothing and food from what is popular and trendy, what is trending on social media. As Christians our lifestyle choices, big or small, mundane and life-changing, ought to reflect the standards of the Kingdom of God. Such major choices would include what career to pursue, who to marry, where to send our kids to school, where to worship God.
We must realize that the apostles first consulted the Lord to discern His will before they received the divine infilling. When we are faced with decisions we too must consult the Holy Spirit who indwells the Church as well as the Christian heart. We do so through prayer, reading the Scriptures, and consulting others in the Church particularly our pastors but also our brethren. We then wait on the Lord until He reveals clearly to us what He would have us do. His choice is revealed by means of His Word, our own reasoning, other people, or circumstances. But the Lord must be glorified by it all. He will never have us choose sin.https://trinityhicksville.org
Theophany: Meeting With God In His Word 